Step-ladder.



E. BENTLEY.

STEP LADDER.

APPLIoATIoN FILED AUG. 25, 1908.

962,881. Patented June 28,1910.

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hwantoz with zones UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

EDDIE BENTLEY, OE LINCOLN, ILLINOIS.

STEP-LADDER.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, EDDIE BENTLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Logan and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvenients in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a` specification.

This invention relates to step ladders, and the object of the invention is to provide a step ladder in which the supporting legs can be swung toward and from each other in addition to having a hinged connection with the ladder, whereby, when the ladder is set up for use it will be steadily supported and when folded together will occupy but little room.

With these and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction of step ladders hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a ladder constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same, the supporting legs being folded. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the supporting legs being spread to secure the ladder in a rigid position. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view upon the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the frame. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the supporting legs connected.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral l designates the ladder proper, and 2 the top shelf thereof. The top shelf 2 is provided with the sides or arms 3. Pivotally connected to the sides 3 is a frame 4. This frame comprises side pieces 5 having their upper extremities provided with suitable perforations adapted for the reception of pintles 6, by which the frame is pivotally connected with the sides 3 of the top. The side pieces 5 of the frame 4 are connected at their lower and upper edges bystrips 6, and the frame is supported by a pair of oppo sitely disposed angular braces 7 positioned upon its front and rear faces. The sides 5 of the frame 4 and the sides of the ladder 1 are provided with suitable straps or braces 8, by which the frame 4 is limited in its swung position in relation to the ladder l.

Both of the upper strips 6 of the frame 4 are provided with suitable openings, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 25, 1908.

Patented June 28, 1910.

Serial No. 450,243.

these openings are adapted for the reception of a pintle 9 by which the supporting legs l0 and ll are connected with the frame 4. rlhese legs l0 and 11 each comprise angle irons and are each provided with a hinged brace l2 and I3 pivotally connected at their free ends and adapted to limit the outward movement of the legs 10 and l1 as well as to prevent the accidental inward movement or closing of the legs when spread. By reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be noted that the legs l0 and 1l bear against the lower edges of the side members 5 of the frame 4, and that the brace is employed simply as an additional supporting means for retaining the legs in spread position. Vhen the legs are folded, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings they may be retained in a locked position by a suitable chain or other flexible device, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Having thus fully described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A ladder having its top provided with depending sides, a rectangular frame pivotally connected with the sides, the sides of said frame having their tops and bottoms provided with strips upon their opposite edges and being further provided with brace members upon their opposite edges arranged at opposite angles to each other, the top connecting members of the frame provided with alining openings, a pair of cross sectional L- shaped legs having their upper extremities provided with a pivot engaging within the openings of the upper connecting members of the frame, said leg members having their offset portions arranged in opposite directions to each other so that the 'said leg members may be folded one upon the other, a pair of links pivoted to the leg sections, said links having their connecting portions provided with a rule joint, and a pair of links centrally pivoted together and connecting the sides of the frame with the legs of the ladder.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDDIE BENTLEY.

Witnesses:

JUDsoN D. FUsoH, JOHN FEUERBACHER, Jr. 

